During his reign as governor, Kidero had no love for former Nairobi senator Mike Sonko and his Sonko Rescue Team. He claimed the group undermined his administration by performing services the county government was mandated to carry out.

Kidero flatly accused the group of operating illegally because it did not conform to the laws of the country.

"The city is being run by drug barons masquerading as empathetic service providers," said Kidero as quoted in the Daily Nation on Sunday, December 10, 2017.

These people harassed and mugged innocent Nairobians on the streets of the CBD as law enforcement officers stood by watching without taking any action.

Sonko did not address these claims.

Currently, for the past week since Sunday, January 21, a rise in crime in the CBD was reported as violent muggers, usually working in a group of 7-10 men, took over the streets of the CBD.

Anyone, including women donning flashy jewellery or carrying hand or laptop bags, was a target for these criminals. The gangs attack people using knives in broad daylight, surround a victim, rob them of valuables then strip them.

Peak crime hours were noted to be between 4AM- 6AM and 5PM-11PM. The police blamed Sonko for the spike in crime after he allowed hawkers to operate in the CBD Street urchin were also accused of being behind the increased muggings.

On Tuesday, January 23, three muggers were gunned down in the CBD and over 35 others arrested as police reacted to the increase of crime.